FMCSR 173.315(a): Class 2 Cargo Tank Requirements Q&A

No. Across our 13 million inspection records, this citation has never resulted in an out-of-service order. The OOS rate for 173.315(a) is 0.0%—all 1 citation on record was issued without OOS placement.

For context, the national average OOS rate across all FMCSR codes is 31.4%, so this violation sits well below the threshold for immediate vehicle removal.

173.315(a) covers failure to comply with Class 2 cargo or portable tank general requirements. Class 2 hazmat includes gases—compressed, liquefied, or dissolved under pressure.

You were likely cited for improper tank construction, maintenance, marking, or operational compliance. Since this is a hazmat violation, inspectors focus on safety-critical defects that could affect tank integrity or cargo containment during transport.

It's relatively uncommon and low-severity. Our database shows 173.315(a) ranks #2796 out of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation frequency—only 1 citation all-time.

Peer violations in hazmat are far more common and carry higher OOS rates. For example, general loading/unloading hazmat violations (177.834A-HMC) have 3,954 citations with a 99.2% OOS rate. Placarding violations (177.817) generate 2,274 citations at 75.1% OOS. By comparison, 173.315(a) enforcement is sparse and non-punitive in practice.

1. Document the citation. Take a photo or copy of the inspection report and citation number.
2. Review the specific deficiency. Ask the inspector or review your copy to understand which Class 2 tank requirement was violated.
3. Contact your carrier or fleet manager. Report the violation immediately—hazmat citations affect both driver and carrier CSA scores.
4. Schedule repair or compliance action. Address the tank deficiency before your next haul (tank inspection, maintenance, marking, or documentation).
5. Keep records. Save all corrective action documentation in case you need to dispute or demonstrate compliance later.

Yes. The FMCSA DataQs system allows drivers and carriers to challenge inspection findings recorded in the Safety Management System (SMS). You can submit a Request for Data Review (RDR) if you believe the citation was issued in error or is inaccurate.

For 173.315(a), your challenge might succeed if you can prove the tank or cargo setup met all Class 2 requirements at the time of inspection. Gather maintenance records, tank certifications, and inspection photos to support your case. Submissions are reviewed and can result in citation removal or correction.

Very rare. In the last 12 months, there have been 0 citations for 173.315(a). In the last 90 days, 0 citations. All-time, our inspection database shows only 1 citation—issued to NATTCO INC (USDOT 2517798).

This suggests either compliance is high or enforcement focus is on higher-frequency hazmat violations like placarding and loading procedures. It's not a violation appearing regularly in roadside inspections.

Both. Hazmat violations are recorded in the Safety Management System (SMS) under both the driver's record and the carrier's record. The citation will appear in the Unsafe Driving and Hazardous Materials BASICs, affecting CSA percentiles for both.

Your carrier's safety profile and insurance costs may be impacted, and repeat violations can limit job opportunities at safety-conscious fleets. This is why reporting to your carrier immediately is critical—they need to account for it in their safety metrics.

Our records show the single citation issued to a Ford-make vehicle. No pattern emerges from one citation, so this doesn't indicate vehicle-type risk. However, any vehicle carrying Class 2 hazmat must meet 173.315(a) requirements regardless of make or model.